< previous page page_122 next page >

Page 122
place where he stood. Llewelyn could do it, too, and he had tried and tried to teach Ian. The only result had been despair and a conviction that it was an art one had to learn from childhood on Ian's part and desperate attempts to conceal amusement on Llewelyn's. Ian shrugged. Each man had his own arts. Ian knew now he would never make a Welsh woodsman; on the other hand, Llewelyn would never be much of a jouster.
When the disappearing trick was complete, Ian went out to make sure his other men were suitably concealed and the lookouts placed where they could actually see something. As he went, he described what he was doing and why to Owain and Geoffrey. The younger boy's attention was dutiful rather than interested. He did not yet really perceive himself as the master of an estate that he would need to protect. When Geoffrey dreamed of his future, he saw himself as a knight of the romances with streaming pennon riding in a joust, or leading an army into battle. Hunting outlaws because they had burned out a few little farms was not romantic enough for a 13-year-old.
Ian's lecture was automatic; he had listened to so many he could say the words by rote. What he was really thinking about was what to do with Geoffrey. He had forgotten to talk to Alinor about the boy and had been so distraught when he left Roselynde that he hardly realized Geoffrey was following him. Now he had an ill-prepared 13-year-old to protect as well as his 15-year-old squire. Of course, Owain was no longer much of a burden and would soon be a great asset. He was quick and cautious and knew how to hold his place. Although Owain was not yet as strong as a mature man, he was well taught, and could guard himself and get the best out of his weapons. All that was necessary was for one of Ian's hard-bitten northerners to keep one eye on the young man to be sure he did not get carried away by his enthusiasm for fighting.
Geoffrey was something else entirely. He had been

 
< previous page page_122 next page >